Methods for inhibiting immune complex formation in a subject

ABSTRACT

Polypeptides and other compounds that can bind specifically to the C H 2-C H 3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule, and methods for using such polypeptides and compounds to inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation, are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/651,664, filed Jan. 4, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/530,273, filed Sep. 8, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,104, which is a continuation-in-part and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of International Application No. PCT/US2005/008131, having an International Filing Date of Mar. 10, 2005, which published in English as International Publication Number WO 2005/086947, and which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/551,817 having a filing date of Mar. 10, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to inhibition of immune complex formation, and more particularly to inhibition of immune complex formation by polypeptides and other small molecules.

BACKGROUND

Humoral immune responses are triggered when an antigen binds specifically to an antibody. The combination of an antibody molecule and an antigen forms a small, relatively soluble immune complex. Antigens either can be foreign substances, such as viral or bacterial polypeptides, or can be “self-antigens” such as polypeptides normally found in the human body. The immune system normally distinguishes foreign antigens from self-antigens. “Autoimmune” disease can occur, however, when this system breaks down, such that the immune system turns upon the body and destroys tissues or organ systems as if they were foreign substances. Examples of this process include the destruction of joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the destruction of the kidneys in lupus nephritis. Larger immune complexes are more pathogenic than small, more soluble immune complexes. The formation of large, relatively insoluble immune complexes can result from both the interaction of antibody molecules with antigen and the interaction of antibody molecules with each other. Such immune complexes also can result from interactions between antibodies in the absence of antigen.

Antibodies can prevent infections by coating viruses or bacteria, but otherwise are relatively harmless by themselves. In contrast, organ specific tissue damage can occur when antibodies combine with antigens and the resulting immune complexes bind to certain effector molecules in the body. Effector molecules are so named because they carry out the pathogenic effects of immune complexes. By inhibiting the formation of large, insoluble immune complexes, or by inhibiting the binding of immune complexes to effector molecules, the tissue damaging effects of immune complexes could be prevented.

SUMMARY

This invention is based on the discovery that polypeptides having amino acid sequences based on that set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 can bind specifically and with high affinity to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 domain of an immunoglobulin molecule, thus inhibiting the formation of insoluble immune complexes containing antibodies and antigens, and preventing the binding of such complexes to effector molecules. The invention provides such polypeptides, as well as methods for using the polypeptides and compounds to inhibit immune complex formation and treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In one aspect, the invention features a method for inhibiting immune complex formation in a subject. The method can include administering to the subject a composition containing a purified polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide includes the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:8), and wherein Xaa is Arg, Trp, Tyr, or Phe. The immune complex formation can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The method can further include the step of monitoring the subject for clinical or molecular characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis.

The polypeptide can further contain a terminal stabilizing group. The terminal stabilizing group can be at the amino terminus or the carboxy terminus of the polypeptide, or both, and can be a tripeptide having the amino acid sequence Xaa-Pro-Pro, wherein Xaa is any amino acid (e.g., Ala). The terminal stabilizing group can be a small stable protein (e.g., a four-helix bundle protein such as Rop). The polypeptide can further include an additional amino acid at the amino terminus of the amino acid sequence. The additional amino acid can be any amino acid other than Cys (e.g., the amino terminal amino acid can be Asp).

The polypeptide can have a length of about 10 to about 50 amino acids. The polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:2). The polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Asp-Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:32).

The invention also features a method for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The method can include identifying an individual with rheumatoid arthritis or at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis, and administering to the individual a composition containing a purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:8), wherein Xaa is Arg, Trp, Tyr, or Phe. The method can further include the step of monitoring the subject for clinical or molecular characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis.

The polypeptide can further include an Asp at the amino terminus of the amino acid sequence. The polypeptide can further include a terminal stabilizing group. The terminal stabilizing group can be at the amino terminus or the carboxy terminus of the polypeptide, or both, and can be a tripeptide having the amino acid sequence Xaa-Pro-Pro, wherein Xaa is any amino acid (e.g., Ala). The terminal stabilizing group can be a small stable protein (e.g., a four-helix bundle protein such as Rop).

The polypeptide can have a length of about 10 to about 50 amino acids. The polypeptide can contain the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:2). The polypeptide can contain the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Asp-Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:32).

In another aspect, the invention features a purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:12), wherein Xaa₁ is any amino acid (e.g., Ala) and Xaa₂ is Arg, Trp, Tyr, or Phe. The invention also features a composition containing the polypeptide.

In another aspect, the invention features a purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:9). The purified polypeptide can have a length of no more than about 20 amino acids. The purified polypeptide can further contain a terminal stabilizing group. The terminal stabilizing group can be at the amino terminus or the carboxy terminus of the polypeptide, or both, and can be a tripeptide with the amino acid sequence Xaa-Pro-Pro, wherein Xaa is any amino acid (e.g., Ala). The terminal stabilizing group can be a small stable protein (e.g., a four-helix bundle protein such as Rop). The purified polypeptide can further contain an Asp at the amino terminus of the amino acid sequence. The invention also features a composition containing the purified polypeptide.

In another aspect, the invention features a purified polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which consists of: (Xaa₁)_(n)-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-(Xaa₃)_(n) (SEQ ID NO:35), wherein Xaa₁ is any amino acid, Xaa₂ is Arg, Trp, Tyr, or Phe, Xaa₃ is any amino acid, and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

In still another aspect, the invention features a purified polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which consists of: (Xaa₁)_(n)-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Xaa₃-Xaa₄-Xaa₅-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Xaa₆-(Xaa₇)_(n) (SEQ ID NO:48), wherein Xaa₁ is any amino acid, Xaa₂ is Phe or Arg, Xaa₃ is any amino acid, Xaa₄ is Gly or Ala, Xaa₅ is Glu or Ala, Xaa₆ is any non-aromatic amino acid, Xaa₇ is any amino acid, and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

In another aspect, the invention features a purified polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which consists of: (Xaa₁)_(n)-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-(Xaa₃)_(n) (SEQ ID NO:35), wherein Xaa₁ is any amino acid, Xaa₂ is Arg, Trp, 5-HTP, Tyr, or Phe, Xaa₃ is any amino acid, and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The polypeptide can inhibit the binding of FcRn to IgG Fc (e.g., Ile-253, or His-435 in IgG4 or IgG1, IgG2, or IgG3 allotypes with His-435). The polypeptide can inhibit hydrophobic packing of FcRn with IgG Fc Met-252, Ile-253, Ser-254 His-435 and Tyr-436. The polypeptide can have a binding affinity of at least 1 μM (e.g., at least 100 nM or at least 10 nM) for the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule having at least one bound antigen. The amino-terminal amino acid of the polypeptide can be acetylated. The carboxy-terminal amino acid of the polypeptide can be amidated. The polypeptide can contain entirely L-amino acids. At least one amino acid of the polypeptide can be an unnatural amino acid, such as 5-hydroxytrpophan (5-HTP). The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the Fc-mediated formation of an immune complex. The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of rheumatoid factors to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen). The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of histones to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen). The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of FcR to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen). The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of myelin basic protein to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen). The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of pso p27 to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen) or to a rheumatoid factor. The polypeptide can be capable of inhibiting the binding of Clq to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an immunoglobulin molecule bound by antigen). The polypeptide can have the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are three-dimensional, computer-generated structural models of the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an IgG molecule, showing the conformation of the cleft when the IgG is in an Fc-mediated immune complex or is non-immune complexed, as indicated.

FIG. 2A is a listing of atomic coordinates for an IgG molecule bound to a peptide ligand through the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft. FIG. 2B is a listing of atomic coordinates for an IgG molecule bound to rheumatoid factor through the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional, computer-generated structural model of an IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft bound to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5.

FIGS. 4A-4C are line graphs of arthritic indices in mice with or without collagen-induced arthritis and treated or untreated as indicated. FIG. 4A shows results for mice treated with the indicated amounts of ID 14 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:45). FIG. 4B shows results for mice treated with the indicated amounts of ID 2 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:2). FIG. 4C shows results for mice treated with the indicated amounts of prednisolone or REMICADE®.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional structural model of interactions between FcRn and IgG Fc.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional structural model of interactions between IgG Fc and a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16, showing the hydrophobic packing with IgG Fc Met-252, Ile-253, Ser-254 His-435 and Tyr-436.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention provides polypeptides and other compounds capable of interacting with the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule, such that interaction of the immunoglobulin with other molecules (e.g., effectors or other immunoglobulins) is blocked. Methods for identifying such polypeptides and other compounds also are provided, along with compositions and articles of manufacture containing the polypeptides and compounds. In addition, the invention provides methods for using the polypeptides and compounds to inhibit immune complex formation and to treat diseases such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These are described in the following subsections.

Immunoglobulins

The immunoglobulins make up a class of proteins found in plasma and other bodily fluids that exhibit antibody activity and bind to other molecules (e.g., antigens and certain cell surface receptors) with a high degree of specificity. Based on their structure and biological activity, immunoglobulins can be divided into five classes: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE. IgG is the most abundant antibody class in the body; this molecule assumes a twisted “Y” shape configuration. With the exception of the IgMs, immunoglobulins are composed mainly of four peptide chains that are linked by several intrachain and interchain disulfide bonds. For example, the IgGs are composed of two polypeptide heavy chains (H chains) and two polypeptide light chains (L chains), which are coupled by disulfide bonds and non-covalent bonds to form a protein molecule with a molecular weight of approximately 160,000 daltons. The average IgG molecule contains approximately 4.5 interchain disulfide bonds and approximately 12 intrachain disulfide bonds (Frangione and Milstein (1968) J. Mol. Biol. 33:893-906).

The light and heavy chains of immunoglobulin molecules are composed of constant regions and variable regions (see, e.g., Padlan (1994) Mol. Immunol. 31:169-217). For example, the light chains of an IgG1 molecule each contain a variable domain (VL) and a constant domain (C_(L)). The heavy chains each have four domains: an amino terminal variable domain (V_(H)), followed by three constant domains (C_(H)1, C_(H)2, and the carboxy terminal C_(H)3). A hinge region corresponds to a flexible junction between the C_(H)1 and C_(H)2 domains. Papain digestion of an intact IgG molecule results in proteolytic cleavage at the hinge and produces an Fc fragment that contains the C_(H)2 and C_(H)3 domains, and two identical Fab fragments that each contain a C_(H)1, C_(L), V_(H), and V_(L) domain. The Fc fragment has complement- and tissue-binding activity, while the Fab fragments have antigen-binding activity.

Immunoglobulin molecules can interact with other polypeptides through various regions. The majority of antigen binding, for example, occurs through the V_(L)/V_(H) region of the Fab fragment. The hinge region also is thought to be important, as immunological dogma states that the binding sites for Fc receptors (FcR) are found in the hinge region of IgG molecules (see, e.g., Raghavan and Bjorkman (1996) Annu. Rev. Dev. Biol. 12:181-200). More recent evidence, however, suggests that FcR interacts with the hinge region primarily when the immunoglobulin is monomeric (i.e., not immune-complexed). Such interactions typically involve the amino acids at positions 234-237 of the Ig molecule (Wiens et al. (2000) J. Immunol. 164:5313-5318).

Immunoglobulin molecules also can interact with other polypeptides through a cleft within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 domain. The “C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft” typically includes the amino acids at positions 251-255 within the C_(H)2 domain and the amino acids at positions 424-436 within the C_(H)3 domain. As used herein, numbering is with respect to an intact IgG molecule as in Kabat et al. (Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5^(th) ed., Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Md.). Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine the corresponding amino acids in other immunoglobulin classes.

The C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft is unusual in that it is characterized by both a high degree of solvent accessibility and a predominantly hydrophobic character, suggesting that burial of an exposed hydrophobic surface is an important driving force behind binding at this site. A three-dimensional change occurs at the IgG C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft upon antigen binding, allowing certain residues (e.g., a histidine at position 435) to become exposed and available for binding. Direct evidence of three-dimensional structural changes that occur upon antigen binding was found in a study using monoclonal antibodies sensitive to conformational changes in the Fc region of human IgG. Five IgG epitopes were altered by antigen binding: two within the hinge region and three within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft (Girkontraite et al. (1996) Cancer Biother. Radiopharm. 11:87-96). Antigen binding therefore can be important for determining whether an immunoglobulin binds to other molecules through the hinge or the Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 region.

The Fc region can bind to a number of effector molecules and other proteins, including the following:

(1) FcRn—The neonatal Fc receptor determines the half life of the antibody molecule in the general circulation (Leach et al., (1996) J. Immunol. 157:3317-3322; Gheti and Ward (2000) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 18:739-766). Mice genetically lacking FcRn are protected from the deleterious effects of pathogenic autoantibodies due to the shortened half-life of the autoantibodies (Liu et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186:777-783). An inhibitor of FcRn binding to immune complexes or to pathogenic autoantibodies would be useful in treating diseases involving pathogenic autoantibodies and/or immune complexes.

(2) FcR—The cellular Fc Receptor provides a link between the humoral immune response and cell-mediated effector systems (Hamano et al. (2000) J. Immunol. 164:6113-6119; Coxon et al. (2001) Immunity 14:693-704; Fossati et al. (2001) Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 31:821-831). The Fcγ Receptors are specific for IgG molecules, and include FcγRI, FcγRIIa, FcγRIIb, and FcγRIII. These isotypes bind with differing affinities to monomeric and immune-complexed IgG.

(3) RF—Rheumatoid factors are immunoglobulins that bind to other immune-complexed immunoglobulin molecules and can exacerbate arthritis in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (see, e.g., Ezaki et al. (1996) Clin. Exp. Immunol. 104:474-482).

(4) Histones—Histones are very basic, positively charged proteins that bind to DNA and the negatively charged basement membrane in the kidneys. In lupus nephritis, histones bind first to the kidneys and then immune complexes bind to these kidney-bound histones (Gussin et al. (2000) Clin. Immunol. 96:150-161).

(5) MBP—Myelin Basic Protein is the primary autoimmune target in multiple sclerosis (MS; Sindic et al. (1980) Clin. Exp. Immunol. 41:1-7; Poston (1984) Lancet 1:1268-1271).

(6) C1q—The first component of the classical complement pathway is C1, which exists in blood serum as a complex of three proteins, C1q, C1r, and C1s. The classical complement pathway is activated when C1q binds to the Fc regions of antigen-bound IgG or IgM. Although the binding of C1q to a single Fc region is weak, C1q can form tight bonds to a cluster of Fc regions. At this point C1 becomes proteolytically active.

The formation of immune complexes via interactions between immunoglobulin Fc regions and other antibodies or other factors (e.g., those described above) is referred to herein as “Fc-mediated immune complex formation” or “the Fc-mediated formation of an immune complex.” Immune complexes containing such interactions are termed “Fc-mediated immune complexes.” Fc-mediated immune complexes can include immunoglobulin molecules with or without bound antigen, and typically include C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft-specific ligands that have higher binding affinity for immune complexed antibodies than for monomeric antibodies. The large, generally insoluble complexes that can result from Fc-mediated immune complex formation typically are involved in the pathology of diseases such as, for example, RA and lupus nephritis.

Purified Polypeptides

As used herein, a “polypeptide” is any chain of amino acid residues, regardless of post-translational modification (e.g., phosphorylation or glycosylation). Polypeptides of the invention typically are between 10 and 50 amino acids in length (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 amino acids in length). Polypeptides of the invention that are between 10 and 20 amino acids in length (e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 amino acids in length) are particularly useful.

The amino acid sequences of the polypeptides provided herein are somewhat constrained, but can have some variability. For example, the polypeptides provided herein typically include the amino acid sequence Xaa₁-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Xaa₃-Xaa₄-Xaa₅-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Xaa₆ (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the residues denoted by Xaa_(n) can display variability. For example, Xaa₁ can be absent or can be any amino acid (e.g., Arg or Asp). Xaa₂ can be Phe, Tyr, Trp, or Arg. Xaa₃ can be any amino acid. Xaa₄ can be Gly or Ala, while Xaa₅ can be Glu or Ala. Like Xaa₁, Xaa₆ also can be absent or can be any amino acid.

In one embodiment, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:2). Alternatively, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:3) or Asp-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:4). In another embodiment, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Arg-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO: 5), Arg-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO: 6), or Arg-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:7).

In another embodiment, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:8), in which Xaa can be Phe, Tyr, Trp, or Arg. For example, the invention provides polypeptides that include the following amino acid sequences: Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:9), Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:10), and Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:11).

The polypeptides provided herein can be modified for use in vivo by the addition, at the amino- or carboxy-terminal end, or at both ends, of a stabilizing agent to facilitate survival of the polypeptide in vivo. This can be useful in situations in which peptide termini tend to be degraded by proteases prior to cellular uptake. Such stabilizing groups (also referred to herein as blocking agents) can include, without limitation, additional related or unrelated peptide sequences that can be attached to the amino- and/or carboxy-terminal residues of the polypeptide (e.g., an acetyl group attached to the N-terminal amino acid or an amide group attached to the C-terminal amino acid). Such attachment can be achieved either chemically, during the synthesis of the polypeptide, or by recombinant DNA technology using methods familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, blocking agents such as pyroglutamic acid or other molecules known in the art can be attached to the amino- and/or carboxy-terminal residues, or the amino group at the amino terminus or the carboxy group at the carboxy terminus can be replaced with a different moiety.

In another embodiment, the polypeptides provided herein can be modified such that a stable protein is positioned at the amino terminus, at the carboxy terminus, or both. Such a stablilizing group (also referred to as a “protein anchor”) typically is a small stable protein such as, without limitation, thioredoxin, glutathione sulfotransferase, maltose binding protein, glutathione reductase, or a four-helix bundle protein such as Rop protein, although no specific size limitation on the protein anchor is intended.

Proteins suitable for use as stabilizing groups can be either naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring. Such stabilizing groups can be isolated from an endogenous source, chemically or enzymatically synthesized, or produced using recombinant DNA technology. Proteins that are particularly well suited for use as stabilizing groups are those that are relatively short in length and form very stable structures in solution. Proteins having molecular weights of less than about 70 kD (e.g., less than about 65, 60, 50, 40, 25, or 12 kD) can be particularly useful as stabilizing groups. For example, human serum albumin has a molecular weight of about 64 kD; E. coli thioredoxin has a molecular weight of about 11.7 kD; E. coli glutathione sulfotransferase has a molecular weight of about 22.9 kD; Rop from the ColE1 replicon has a molecular weight of about 7.2 kD; and maltose binding protein (without its signal sequence) has a molecular weight of about 40.7 kD. The small size of the Rop protein makes it especially useful as a stabilizing group, since it is less likely than larger proteins to interfere with accessibility of the linked peptide, thus preserving its bioactivity. Rop's highly ordered anti-parallel four-helix bundle topology (after dimerization), slow unfolding kinetics (see, e.g., Betz et al. (1997) Biochem. 36:2450-2458), and lack of disulfide bonds also contribute to its usefulness as a peptide anchor according to the invention. Other proteins with similar folding kinetics and/or thermodynamic stability (e.g., Rop has a midpoint temperature of denaturation (Tm) of about 71° C.; Steif et al. (1993) Biochem. 32:3867-3876) also are useful as stabilizing groups. Peptides or proteins having highly stable tertiary motifs, such as a four-helix bundle topology, are particularly useful.

In another embodiment, a stabilizing group such as a proline, a Pro-Pro sequence, or an Xaa-Pro-Pro sequence (e.g., Ala-Pro-Pro) can be positioned at the amino terminus of a polypeptide (see, e.g., WO 00/22112). For example, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:12), where Xaa₁ is any amino acid (e.g., Ala), and Xaa₂ is Trp, Tyr, Phe, or Arg. For example, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:13), Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:14), or Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO: 15). Alternatively, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:16), Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:17), Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:18), Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Arg-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:19), Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Arg-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:20), or Xaa₁-Pro-Pro-Arg-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO: 21).

Alternatively, the polypeptides provided herein can have a proline, a Pro-Pro sequence, or a Pro-Pro-Xaa sequence (e.g., Pro-Pro-Ala) positioned at their carboxy termini. For example, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:22), Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:23), Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO: 24, Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:25), Asp-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:26), Asp-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:27), Arg-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:28), Arg-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:29), or Arg-Cys-Ala-Phe-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:30), wherein Xaa can be any amino acid. In one embodiment, a polypeptide can have both an Xaa-Pro-Pro (e.g., Ala-Pro-Pro) sequence at its amino termini and a Pro-Pro-Xaa (e.g., Pro-Pro-Ala) sequence at its carboxy terminus.

The polypeptides provided herein also can include additional amino acid sequences at the amino terminus of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, the carboxy terminus of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or both. For example, a polypeptide can contain the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Xaa₁-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Xaa₃-Xaa₄-Xaa₅-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Xaa₆-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:31), wherein the residues denoted by Xaa_(n) can display variability. As for the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, Xaa₁ can be absent or can be any amino acid (e.g., Arg or Asp); Xaa₂ can be Phe, Tyr, Trp, or Arg; Xaa₃ can be any amino acid; Xaa₄ can be Gly or Ala; Xaa₅ can be Glu or Ala; and Xaa₆ can be absent or can be any amino acid. In one embodiment, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Asp-Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:32), where Xaa is Arg, Trp, Tyr, or Phe. For example, a polypeptide can include the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:33).

In another embodiment, a polypeptide can consist of the amino acid sequence (Xaa₁)_(n)-Xaa₂-Cys-Ala-Xaa₃-His-Xaa₄-Xaa₅-Xaa₆-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-(Xaa₇)_(n) (SEQ ID NO:34), wherein the residues denoted by Xaa can display variability, and n can be an integer from 0 to 10 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10). For example, Xaa₁ can be any amino acid; Xaa₂ can be absent or can be any amino acid (e.g., Arg or Asp); Xaa₃ can be Phe, Tyr, Trp, Arg, or 5-HTP; Xaa₄ can be any amino acid; Xaa₅ can be Gly or Ala; Xaa₆ can be Glu or Ala; Xaa₇ can be any amino acid; and n can be from 0 to 5 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Alternatively, a polypeptide consist of the amino acid sequence (Xaa₁)_(n)-Cys-Ala-Xaa₂-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-(Xaa₃)_(n) (SEQ ID NO:35), wherein Xaa₁ is any amino acid, Xaa₂ is Tyr, Trp, Phe, Arg, or 5-HTP, Xaa₃ is any amino acid, and n is an integer from 0 to 5 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Examples of polypeptides within these embodiments include, without limitation, polypeptides consisting of the amino acid sequence Ala-Pro-Pro-Leu-Asp-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Ala-Leu-Pro-Pro-Ala (SEQ ID NO:36), Ala-Ala-Arg-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Ala-Ala (SEQ ID NO:37), or Ala-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Phe-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Ala-Ala (SEQ ID NO:38).

The amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:1-38 typically contain two cysteine residues. Polypeptides containing these amino acid sequences typically cyclize due to formation of a disulfide bond between the two cysteine residues. A person having ordinary skill in the art can, for example, use Ellman's Reagent to determine whether a peptide containing multiple cysteine residues is cyclized. In some embodiments, these cysteine residues can be substituted with other natural or non-natural amino acid residues that can form lactam bonds rather than disulfide bonds. For example, one cysteine residue could be replaced with aspartic acid or glutamic acid, while the other could be replaced with ornithine or lysine. Any of these combinations could yield a lactam bridge. By varying the amino acids that form a lactam bridge, a polypeptide provided herein can be generated that contains a bridge approximately equal in length to the disulfide bond that would be formed if two cysteine residues were present in the polypeptide.

The polypeptides provided herein can contain an amino acid tag. A “tag” is generally a short amino acid sequence that provides a ready means of detection or purification through interactions with an antibody against the tag or through other compounds or molecules that recognize the tag. For example, tags such as c-myc, hemagglutinin, polyhistidine, or FLAG® can be used to aid purification and detection of a polypeptide. As an example, a polypeptide with a polyhistidine tag can be purified based on the affinity of histidine residues for nickel ions (e.g., on a Ni-NTA column), and can be detected in western blots by an antibody against polyhistidine (e.g., the Penta-His antibody; Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). Tags can be inserted anywhere within the polypeptide sequence, although insertion at the amino- or carboxy-terminus is particularly useful.

The term “amino acid” refers to natural amino acids, unnatural amino acids, and amino acid analogs, all in their D and L stereoisomers if their structures so allow. Natural amino acids include alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), cysteine (Cys), glutamine (Gln), glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), and valine (Val). Unnatural amino acids include, but are not limited to azetidinecarboxylic acid, 2-aminoadipic acid, 3-aminoadipic acid, beta-alanine, aminopropionic acid, 2-aminobutyric acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, 6-aminocaproic acid, 2-aminoheptanoic acid, 2-aminoisobutyric acid, 3-aminoisobutyric acid, 2-aminopimelic acid, 2,4-diaminoisobutyric acid, desmosine, 2,2′-diaminopimelic acid, 2,3-diaminopropionic acid, N-ethylglycine, N-ethylasparagine, hydroxylysine, allo-hydroxylysine, 3-hydroxyproline, 4-hydroxyproline, 5-hydroxytryptophan, isodesmosine, allo-isoleucine, N-methylglycine, N-methylisoleucine, N-methylvaline, norvaline, norleucine, ornithine, and pipecolic acid.

An “analog” is a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different element or in the presence of a particular functional group). An “amino acid analog” therefore is structurally similar to a naturally occurring amino acid molecule as is typically found in native polypeptides, but differs in composition such that either the C-terminal carboxy group, the N-terminal amino group, or the side-chain functional group has been chemically modified to another functional group. Amino acid analogs include natural and unnatural amino acids which are chemically blocked, reversibly or irreversibly, or modified on their N-terminal amino group or their side-chain groups, and include, for example, methionine sulfoxide, methionine sulfone, S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine, S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine sulfoxide and S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine sulfone. Amino acid analogs may be naturally occurring, or can be synthetically prepared. Non-limiting examples of amino acid analogs include aspartic acid-(beta-methyl ester), an analog of aspartic acid; N-ethylglycine, an analog of glycine; and alanine carboxamide, an analog of alanine Other examples of amino acids and amino acids analogs are listed in Gross and Meienhofer, The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology, Academic Press, Inc., New York (1983).

The stereochemistry of a polypeptide can be described in terms of the topochemical arrangement of the side chains of the amino acid residues about the polypeptide backbone, which is defined by the peptide bonds between the amino acid residues and the α-carbon atoms of the bonded residues. In addition, polypeptide backbones have distinct termini and thus direction. The majority of naturally occurring amino acids are L-amino acids. Naturally occurring polypeptides are largely comprised of L-amino acids.

D-amino acids are the enantiomers of L-amino acids and can form peptides that are herein referred to as “inverso” polypeptides (i.e., peptides corresponding to native peptides but made up of D-amino acids rather than L-amino acids). A “retro” polypeptide is made up of L-amino acids, but has an amino acid sequence in which the amino acid residues are assembled in the opposite direction of the native peptide sequence.

“Retro-inverso” modification of naturally occurring polypeptides involves the synthetic assembly of amino acids with α-carbon stereochemistry opposite to that of the corresponding L-amino acids (i.e., D- or D-allo-amino acids), in reverse order with respect to the native polypeptide sequence. A retro-inverso analog thus has reversed termini and reversed direction of peptide bonds, while approximately maintaining the topology of the side chains as in the native peptide sequence. The term “native” refers to any sequence of L-amino acids used as a starting sequence for the preparation of partial or complete retro, inverso or retro-inverso analogs.

Partial retro-inverso polypeptide analogs are polypeptides in which only part of the sequence is reversed and replaced with enantiomeric amino acid residues. Since the retro-inverted portion of such an analog has reversed amino and carboxyl termini, the amino acid residues flanking the retro-inverted portion can be replaced by side-chain-analogous α-substituted geminal-diaminomethanes and malonates, respectively. Alternatively, a polypeptide can be a complete retro-inverso analog, in which the entire sequence is reversed and replaced with D-amino acids.

The invention also provides peptidomimetic compounds that are designed on the basis of the amino acid sequences of polypeptides. Peptidomimetic compounds are synthetic, non-peptide compounds having a three-dimensional conformation (i.e., a “peptide motif,”) that is substantially the same as the three-dimensional conformation of a selected peptide, and can thus confer the same or similar function as the selected peptide. Peptidomimetic compounds of the invention can be designed to mimic any of the polypeptides of the invention.

Peptidomimetic compounds that are protease resistant are particularly useful. Furthermore, peptidomimetic compounds may have additional characteristics that enhance therapeutic utility, such as increased cell permeability and prolonged biological half-life. Such compounds typically have a backbone that is partially or completely non-peptide, but with side groups that are identical or similar to the side groups of the amino acid residues that occur in the peptide upon which the peptidomimetic compound is based. Several types of chemical bonds (e.g., ester, thioester, thioamide, retroamide, reduced carbonyl, dimethylene and ketomethylene) are known in the art to be useful substitutes for peptide bonds in the construction of peptidomimetic compounds.

The interactions between a polypeptide of the invention and an immunoglobulin molecule typically occur through the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of the immunoglobulin. Such interactions are engendered through physical proximity and are mediated by, for example, hydrophobic interactions. The “binding affinity” of a polypeptide for an immunoglobulin molecule refers to the strength of the interaction between the polypeptide and the immunoglobulin. Binding affinity typically is expressed as an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_(d)), which is calculated as K_(d)=k_(off)/k_(on), where k_(off)=the kinetic dissociation constant of the reaction, and k_(on)=the kinetic association constant of the reaction. K_(d) is expressed as a concentration, with a low K_(d) value (e.g., less than 100 nM) signifying high affinity. Polypeptides of the invention that can interact with an immunoglobulin molecule typically have a binding affinity of at least 1 μM (e.g., at least 500 nM, at least 100 nM, at least 50 nM, or at least 10 nM) for the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of the immunoglobulin.

Polypeptides provided herein can bind with substantially equivalent affinity to immunoglobulin molecules that are bound by antigen and to monomeric immunoglobulins. Alternatively, polypeptides of the invention can have a higher binding affinity (e.g., at least 10-fold, at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold higher binding affinity) for immunoglobulin molecules that are bound by antigen than for monomeric immunoglobulins. Conformational changes that occur within the Fc region of an immunoglobulin molecule upon antigen binding to the Fab region are likely involved in a difference in affinity. The crystal structures of bound and unbound NC6.8 Fab (from a murine monoclonal antibody) showed that the tail of the Fab heavy chain was displaced by 19 angstroms in crystals of the antigen/antibody complex, as compared to its position in unbound Fab (Guddat et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 236-247-274). Since the C-terminal tail of the Fab region is connected to the Fc region in an intact antibody, this shift would be expected to affect the conformation of the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft. Furthermore, examination of several three-dimensional structures of intact immunoglobulins revealed a direct physical connection between the Fab heavy chain and the Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft (Harris et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36:1581-1597; Saphire et al. (2001) Science 293:1155-1159).

Molecular modeling of the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of monomeric (i.e., unbound) and immune-complexed IgG (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) revealed that the monomeric Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft has a closed configuration, which can prevent binding to critical amino acid residues (e.g., His435; see, for example, O'Brien et al. (1994) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 310:25-31; Jefferies et al. (1984) Immunol. Lett. 7:191-194; and West et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39:9698-9708). Immune-complexed (antigen-bound) IgG, however, has a more open configuration and thus is more conducive to ligand binding. The binding affinity of RF for immune-complexed IgG, for example, is much greater than the binding affinity of RF for monomeric IgG (Corper et al. (1997) Nat. Struct. Biol. 4:374; Sohi et al. (1996) Immunol. 88:636). The same typically is true for polypeptides of the invention.

Because polypeptides of the invention can bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of immunoglobulin molecules, they are useful for blocking the interaction of other factors (e.g., FcRn, FcR, RF, histones, MBP, and other immunoglobulins) to the Fc region of the immunoglobulin, and thus can inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation. By “inhibit” is meant that Fc-mediated immune complex formation is reduced in the presence of a polypeptide of the invention, as compared to the level of immune complex formation in the absence of the polypeptide. Such inhibiting can occur in vitro (e.g., in a test tube) or in vivo (e.g., in an individual). Any suitable method can be used to assess the level of immune complex formation. Many such methods are known in the art, and some of these are described herein.

Polypeptides of the invention typically interact with the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule in a monomeric fashion (i.e., interact with only one immunoglobulin molecule and thus do not link two or more immunoglobulin molecules together). Interactions with other immunoglobulin molecules through the Fc region therefore are precluded by the presence of the polypeptide. The inhibition of Fc-mediated immune complex formation can be assessed in vitro, for example, by incubating an IgG molecule with a labeled immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., a fluorescently labeled RF molecule) in the presence and absence of a polypeptide of the invention, and measuring the amount of labeled immunoglobulin that is incorporated into an immune complex. Other methods suitable for detecting immune complex formation also may be used, as discussed below.

Preparation and Purification of Polypeptides

Polypeptides of the invention can be produced by a number of methods, many of which are well known in the art. By way of example and not limitation, a polypeptide can be obtained by extraction from a natural source (e.g., from isolated cells, tissues or bodily fluids), by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide (as, for example, described below), or by chemical synthesis (e.g., by solid-phase synthesis or other methods well known in the art, including synthesis with an ABI peptide synthesizer; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Methods for synthesizing retro-inverso polypeptide analogs (Bonelli et al. (1984) Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 24:553-556; and Verdini and Viscomi (1985) J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans 0.1:697-701), and some processes for the solid-phase synthesis of partial retro-inverso peptide analogs also have been described (see, for example, European Patent number EP0097994).

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides described herein. As used herein, “nucleic acid” refers to both RNA and DNA, including cDNA, genomic DNA, and synthetic (e.g., chemically synthesized) DNA. The nucleic acid can be double-stranded or single-stranded (i.e., a sense or an antisense single strand). The term “isolated” as used herein with reference to a nucleic acid refers to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid that is not immediately contiguous with both of the sequences with which it is immediately contiguous (one at the 5′ end and one at the 3′ end) in the naturally-occurring genome of the organism from which it is derived. The term “isolated” as used herein with respect to nucleic acids also includes any non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid sequence, since such non-naturally-occurring sequences are not found in nature and do not have immediately contiguous sequences in a naturally-occurring genome.

An isolated nucleic acid can be, for example, a DNA molecule, provided one of the nucleic acid sequences that is normally immediately contiguous with the DNA molecule in a naturally-occurring genome is removed or absent. Thus, an isolated nucleic acid includes, without limitation, a DNA molecule that exists as a separate molecule (e.g., a chemically synthesized nucleic acid, or a cDNA or genomic DNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease treatment) independent of other sequences as well as DNA that is incorporated into a vector, an autonomously replicating plasmid, a virus (e.g., a retrovirus, lentivirus, adenovirus, or herpes virus), or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote. In addition, an isolated nucleic acid can include an engineered nucleic acid such as a recombinant DNA molecule that is part of a hybrid or fusion nucleic acid. A nucleic acid existing among hundreds to millions of other nucleic acids within, for example, cDNA libraries or genomic libraries, or gel slices containing a genomic DNA restriction digest, is not considered an isolated nucleic acid.

The invention also provides vectors containing the nucleic acids described herein. As used herein, a “vector” is a replicon, such as a plasmid, phage, or cosmid, into which another DNA segment may be inserted so as to bring about the replication of the inserted segment. The vectors of the invention are preferably expression vectors, in which the nucleotides encode the polypeptides of the invention with an initiator methionine, operably linked to expression control sequences. As used herein, “operably linked” means incorporated into a genetic construct so that expression control sequences effectively control expression of a coding sequence of interest. An “expression control sequence” is a DNA sequence that controls and regulates the transcription and translation of another DNA sequence, and an “expression vector” is a vector that includes expression control sequences, so that a relevant DNA segment incorporated into the vector is transcribed and translated. A coding sequence is “operably linked” and “under the control” of transcriptional and translational control sequences in a cell when RNA polymerase transcribes the coding sequence into mRNA, which then is translated into the protein encoded by the coding sequence.

Methods well known to those skilled in the art may be used to subclone isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides of interest into expression vectors containing relevant coding sequences and appropriate transcriptional/translational control signals. See, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2^(nd) edition), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1989); and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, New York (1989). Expression vectors of the invention can be used in a variety of systems (e.g., bacteria, yeast, insect cells, and mammalian cells), as described herein. Examples of suitable expression vectors include, without limitation, plasmids and viral vectors derived from, for example, herpes viruses, retroviruses, vaccinia viruses, adenoviruses, and adeno-associated viruses. A wide variety of suitable expression vectors and systems are commercially available, including the pET series of bacterial expression vectors (Novagen, Madison, Wis.), the Adeno-X expression system (Clontech), the Baculogold baculovirus expression system (BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.), and the pCMV-Tag vectors (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.).

Expression vectors that encode the polypeptides of the invention can be used to produce the polypeptides. Expression systems that can be used for small or large scale production of the polypeptide of the invention include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli and B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention; yeast (e.g., S. cerevisiae) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., tobacco mosaic virus) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., primary cells or immortalized cell lines such as COS cells, CHO cells, HeLa cells, HEK 293 cells, and 3T3 L1 cells) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., the metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter and the cytomegalovirus promoter), along with the nucleic acids of the invention.

The term “purified polypeptide” as used herein refers to a polypeptide that either has no naturally occurring counterpart (e.g., a peptidomimetic), or has been chemically synthesized and is thus uncontaminated by other polypeptides, or that has been separated or purified from other cellular components by which it is naturally accompanied (e.g., other cellular proteins, polynucleotides, or cellular components). Typically, the polypeptide is considered “purified” when it is at least 70%, by dry weight, free from the proteins and naturally occurring organic molecules with which it naturally associates. A preparation of the purified polypeptide of the invention therefore can be, for example, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 99%, by dry weight, the polypeptide of the invention. Suitable methods for purifying the polypeptides of the invention can include, for example, affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation, size exclusion chromatography, and ion exchange chromatography. The extent of purification can be measured by any appropriate method, including but not limited to: column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or high-performance liquid chromatography.

Methods of Modeling, Designing, and Identifying Compounds

The invention provides methods for designing, modeling, and identifying compounds that can bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule and thus serve as inhibitors of Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Such compounds also are referred to herein as “ligands.” Compounds designed, modeled, and identified by methods of the invention typically can interact with an immunoglobulin molecule through the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft, and typically have a binding affinity of at least 1 μM (e.g., at least 500 nM, at least 100 nM, at least 50 nM, or at least 10 nM) for the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of the immunoglobulin. Such compounds generally have higher binding affinity (e.g., at least 10-fold, at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold higher binding affinity) for immune-complexed immunoglobulin molecules than for monomeric immunoglobulin molecules.

Compounds of the invention typically interact with the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule in a monomeric fashion (i.e., interact with only one immunoglobulin molecule and thus do not link two or more immunoglobulin molecules together). The interactions between a compound and an immunoglobulin molecule typically involve the amino acid residues at positions 252, 253, 435, and 436 of the immunoglobulin (number according to Kabat, supra). The interaction between compounds of the invention and the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft renders the compounds capable of inhibiting the Fc-mediated formation of immune complexes by blocking the binding of other factors (e.g., RF, histones, FcR, FcRn, C1q, MBP, and psoriasis associated antigen pso p27) to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft.

Compounds identified by methods of the invention can be polypeptides such as, for example, those described herein. Alternatively, a compound can be any suitable type of molecule that can specifically bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule. Compounds such as quercetin, boswellic acids, and statins are particularly useful.

By “modeling” is meant quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of receptor-ligand structure/function based on three-dimensional structural information and receptor-ligand interaction models. This includes conventional numeric-based molecular dynamic and energy minimization models, interactive computer graphic models, modified molecular mechanics models, distance geometry and other structure-based constraint models. Modeling typically is performed using a computer and may be further optimized using known methods.

Methods of designing ligands that bind specifically (i.e., with high affinity) to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule having bound antigen typically are computer-based, and involve the use of a computer having a program capable of generating an atomic model. Computer programs that use X-ray crystallography data are particularly useful for designing ligands that can interact with an Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft. Programs such as RasMol, for example, can be used to generate a three dimensional model of a C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft and/or determine the structures involved in ligand binding. Computer programs such as INSIGHT (Accelrys, Burlington, Mass.), GRASP (Anthony Nicholls, Columbia University), Dock (Molecular Design Institute, University of California at San Francisco), and Auto-Dock (Accelrys) allow for further manipulation and the ability to introduce new structures.

Methods of the invention can include, for example, providing to a computer the atomic structural coordinates (e.g., the coordinates shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) for amino acid residues within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft (e.g., amino acid residues at positions 252, 253, 435, and 436 of the cleft) of an immunoglobulin molecule in an Fc-mediated immune complex, using the computer to generate an atomic model of the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft, further providing the atomic structural coordinates of a candidate compound and generating an atomic model of the compound optimally positioned within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft, and identifying the candidate compound as a ligand of interest if the compound interacts with the amino acid residues at positions 252, 253, 435, and 436 of the cleft. The data provided to the computer also can include the atomic coordinates of amino acid residues at positions in addition to 252, 253, 435, and 436. By “optimally positioned” is meant positioned to optimize hydrophobic interactions between the candidate compound and the amino acid residues at positions 252, 253, 435, and 436 of the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft.

Alternatively, a method for designing a ligand having specific binding affinity for the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule can utilize a computer with an atomic model of the cleft stored in its memory. The atomic coordinates of a candidate compound then can be provided to the computer, and an atomic model of the candidate compound optimally positioned can be generated. As described herein, a candidate compound can be identified as a ligand having specific binding affinity for the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule if, for example, the compound interacts with the amino acid residues at positions 252, 253, 435, and 436 of the cleft.

Compounds of the invention also may be interactively designed from structural information of the compounds described herein using other structure-based design/modeling techniques (see, e.g., Jackson (1997) Seminars in Oncology 24:L164-172; and Jones et al. (1996) J. Med. Chem. 39:904-917).

Compounds and polypeptides of the invention also can be identified by, for example, identifying candidate compounds by computer modeling as fitting spatially and preferentially (i.e., with high affinity) into the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule, and then screening those compounds in vitro or in vivo for the ability to inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Suitable methods for such in vitro and in vivo screening include those described herein.

Compositions and Articles of Manufacture

The invention provides methods for treating conditions that arise from abnormal Fc-mediated immune complex formation (e.g., over-production of Fc-mediated immune complexes). By these methods, polypeptides and compounds in accordance with the invention are administered to a subject (e.g., a human or another mammal) having a disease or disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) that can be alleviated by modulating Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Typically, one or more polypeptides or compounds can be administered to a subject suspected of having a disease or condition associated with immune complex formation.

The polypeptides and compounds provided herein can be used in the manufacture of a medicament (i.e., a composition) for treating conditions that arise from abnormal Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Compositions of the invention typically contain one or more polypeptides and compounds described herein. A C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptide, for example, can be in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, and can be administered in amounts and for periods of time that will vary depending upon the nature of the particular disease, its severity, and the subject's overall condition. Typically, the polypeptide is administered in an inhibitory amount (i.e., in an amount that is effective for inhibiting the production of immune complexes in the cells or tissues contacted by the polypeptide). The polypeptide and methods of the invention also can be used prophylactically, e.g., to minimize immunoreactivity in a subject at risk for abnormal or over-production of immune complexes (e.g., a transplant recipient).

The ability of a polypeptide to inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation can be assessed by, for example, measuring immune complex levels in a subject before and after treatment. A number of methods can be used to measure immune complex levels in tissues or biological samples, including those that are well known in the art. If the subject is a research animal, for example, immune complex levels in the joints can be assessed by immunostaining following euthanasia. The effectiveness of an inhibitory polypeptide also can be assessed by direct methods such as measuring the level of circulating immune complexes in serum samples. Alternatively, indirect methods can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of polypeptides in live subjects. For example, reduced immune complex formation can be inferred from reduced pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Animal models also can be used to study the development of and relief from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods for formulating and subsequently administering therapeutic compositions are well known to those skilled in the art. Dosing is generally dependent on the severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Persons of ordinary skill in the art routinely determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages can vary depending on the relative potency of individual polypeptides, and can generally be estimated based on EC50 found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. Typically, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, biweekly, weekly, monthly, or even less often. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state.

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and formulations that include the polypeptides and/or compounds of the invention. Polypeptides therefore can be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecular structures, or mixtures of compounds such as, for example, liposomes, polyethylene glycol, receptor targeted molecules, or oral, rectal, topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake, distribution and/or absorption.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” (also referred to herein as an “excipient”) is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent, or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more therapeutic compounds (e.g., C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides) to a subject. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be liquid or solid, and can be selected with the planned manner of administration in mind so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, and other pertinent transport and chemical properties, when combined with one or more of therapeutic compounds and any other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that do not deleteriously react with amino acids include, by way of example and not limitation: water; saline solution; binding agents (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, gelatin, or calcium sulfate); lubricants (e.g., starch, polyethylene glycol, or sodium acetate); disintegrates (e.g., starch or sodium starch glycolate); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate).

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be administered by a number of methods, depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration can be, for example, topical (e.g., transdermal, sublingual, ophthalmic, or intranasal); pulmonary (e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols); oral; or parenteral (e.g., by subcutaneous, intrathecal, intraventricular, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal injection, or by intravenous drip). Administration can be rapid (e.g., by injection) or can occur over a period of time (e.g., by slow infusion or administration of slow release formulations). For treating tissues in the central nervous system, C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides can be administered by injection or infusion into the cerebrospinal fluid, preferably with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the polypeptides across the blood-brain barrier.

Formulations for topical administration of C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides include, for example, sterile and non-sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions in common solvents such as alcohols, or solutions in liquid or solid oil bases. Such solutions also can contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administration can include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids, and powders. Nasal sprays are particularly useful, and can be administered by, for example, a nebulizer or another nasal spray device. Administration by an inhaler also is particularly useful. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable.

Compositions and formulations for oral administration include, for example, powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets, or tablets. Such compositions also can incorporate thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids, or binders.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration can include sterile aqueous solutions, which also can contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives (e.g., penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers).

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, aqueous suspensions, and liposome-containing formulations. These compositions can be generated from a variety of components that include, for example, preformed liquids, self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying semisolids. Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising of two immiscible liquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other; in general, emulsions are either of the water-in-oil (w/o) or oil-in-water (o/w) variety. Emulsion formulations have been widely used for oral delivery of therapeutics due to their ease of formulation and efficacy of solubilization, absorption, and bioavailability.

Liposomes are vesicles that have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior that can contain the composition to be delivered. Liposomes can be particularly useful due to their specificity and the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drug delivery. Liposome compositions can be formed, for example, from phosphatidylcholine, dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, or dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. Numerous lipophilic agents are commercially available, including LIPOFECTIN® (Invitrogen/Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) and EFFECTENE™ (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.).

Polypeptides of the invention further encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the invention provides pharmaceutically acceptable salts of polypeptides, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents. The term “prodrug” indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form and is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals and/or conditions. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the polypeptides of the invention (i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent polypeptide without imparting undesired toxicological effects). Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, salts formed with cations (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, or polyamines such as spermine); acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, or nitric acid); and salts formed with organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, or fumaric acid).

Pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptides of the present invention also can incorporate penetration enhancers that promote the efficient delivery of polypeptides to the skin of animals. Penetration enhancers can enhance the diffusion of both lipophilic and non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes. Penetration enhancers can be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories, i.e., surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether); fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid); bile salts (e.g., cholic acid, dehydrocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid); chelating agents (e.g., disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, citric acid, and salicylates); and non-chelating non-surfactants (e.g., unsaturated cyclic ureas). Alternatively, inhibitory polypeptides can be delivered via iontophoresis, which involves a transdermal patch with an electrical charge to “drive” the polypeptide through the dermis.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing (a) one or more polypeptides and (b) one or more other agents that function by a different mechanism. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, can be included in compositions of the invention. Other non-polypeptide agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic agents) also are within the scope of this invention. Such combined compounds can be used together or sequentially.

Compositions of the present invention additionally can contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions. Thus, the compositions also can include compatible, pharmaceutically active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. Furthermore, the composition can be mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings, and aromatic substances. When added, however, such materials should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the polypeptide components within the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can be sterilized if desired.

The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention, which can be presented conveniently in unit dosage form, can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients (e.g., the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides of the invention) with the desired pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). Typically, the formulations can be prepared by uniformly and bringing the active ingredients into intimate association with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product. Formulations can be sterilized if desired, provided that the method of sterilization does not interfere with the effectiveness of the polypeptide contained in the formulation.

The compositions of the present invention can be formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present invention also can be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions further can contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran. Suspensions also can contain stabilizers.

C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides of the invention can be combined with packaging material and sold as kits for reducing Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Components and methods for producing articles of manufacture are well known. The articles of manufacture may combine one or more of the polypeptides and compounds set out in the above sections. In addition, the article of manufacture further may include, for example, buffers or other control reagents for reducing or monitoring reduced immune complex formation. Instructions describing how the polypeptides are effective for reducing Fc-mediated immune complex formation can be included in such kits.

Methods for Using C_(H)2-C_(H)3 Binding Polypeptides to Inhibit Fc-Mediated Immune Complex Formation

C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides can be used in in vitro assays of Fc-mediated immune complex formation. Such methods are useful to, for example, evaluate the ability of a C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft-binding polypeptide to block Fc-mediated immune complex formation. In vitro methods can involve, for example, contacting an immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., an antigen bound immunoglobulin molecule) with an effector molecule (e.g., RF, FcR, FcRn, a histone, MBP, or another antibody) in the presence and absence of a polypeptide of the invention, and determining the level of immune complex formation in each sample. Levels of immune complex formation can be evaluated by, for example, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with Coomassie blue or silver staining, or by co-immunoprecipitation. Such methods are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Methods provided herein also can be used to inhibit immune complex formation in a subject, and to treat an autoimmune disease in a subject by inhibiting Fc-mediated immune complex formation in. Such methods can involve, for example, administering any of the polypeptides provided herein, or a composition containing any of the polypeptides provided herein, to a subject. For example, a method can include administering to an individual a composition containing a polypeptide that includes the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:10). Alternatively, a method can include administering to a subject a polypeptide that contains the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:2), or Ala-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Arg-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:44).

Methods provided herein can be used to treat a subject having, for example, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis, autoimmune glomerulonephritis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), or cancer, or to a transplant recipient. These conditions and the involvement of Fc-mediated immune complex formation are described in the subsections below. Methods of the invention also can include steps for identifying a subject in need of such treatment and/or monitoring treated individuals for a reduction in symptoms or levels of immune complex formation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis—

RA is characterized by chronic joint inflammation that eventually leads to irreversible cartilage destruction. In RA, abnormal IgG antibodies are produced by lymphocytes in the synovial membranes. These abnormal IgG antibodies then act as antigens. Other IgG and IgM antibodies, termed Rheumatoid Factors (RF), are present in sera and synovia and subsequently react with these abnormal IgG antibody/antigens to produce immune complexes. Immune complexes containing RF are abundant in synovial tissue of patients with RA. RF are directed to the Fc region of IgG, and interact with the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft (Zack et al. (1995) J. Immunol. 155:5057-5063). The presence of RF is associated with systemic symptoms, joint erosion, and poor prognosis, although the exact role of RF in RA remains to be fully elucidated.

Collagen II (CII) induced arthritis, a murine model of RA, is characterized by polyarthritis, synovial hyperplasia, infiltration of mononuclear cells, pannus formation and the destruction of cartilage and bone. Mice that are deficient for FcγRI and FcγRIII are protected from CII induced arthritis, suggesting that blockade of FcγRs is useful for treating RA (Kleinau et al. (2000) J. Exp. Med. 191:1611-1616). While the etiology of RA is not fully understood, individuals that are genetically predisposed to developing the disease produce high levels of anti-CII antibodies. Immunization with immune complexes containing CII produces anti-idiotypic anti-CII antibodies that have been shown to actually be RF (Holmdahl et al. (1986) Scand. J. Immunol. 24:197-203). Inhibitors that bind to the IgG C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft will block this cyclic production of anti-CII and RF anti-idiotypic antibodies.

The inflammation and subsequent cartilage damage caused by immune complexes in RA may be related to the occurrence of FcγRs on macrophages (Blom et al. (2000) Arthritis Res. 2:489-503). The absence of functional FcγRI and FcγRIII in knock-out mice prevented inflammation and cartilage destruction after induction of immune complex-mediated arthritis, whereas high basal expression of FcγRs on resident joint macrophages of similarly treated mice susceptible to autoimmune arthritis was correlated with markedly more synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction. In recent studies, the importance of these receptors in inflammation and tissue damage has been shown in various inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, autoimmune glomerulonephritis, and induced glomerulonephritis. Since the majority of human RF bind to the IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft (Sasso et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 140:3098-3107; Corper et al. supra; and Sohi et al. supra), polypeptides that bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft would directly inhibit the binding of RF to immune-complexed IgG Fc, and therefore would ameliorate the contribution of RF to the pathology of RA.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis—

SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease with many manifestations. The production of autoantibodies leads to immune complex formation and subsequent deposition in many tissues (e.g., glomeruli, skin, lungs, synovium, and mesothelium), leading to the manifestations of the disease. Renal disease is common with SLE because the immune complexes often are deposited in the renal glomeruli. Despite therapy, progression to chronic renal failure is common.

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney that is caused by SLE-related glomerular deposition of immune complexes and FcγR (see, e.g., Clynes et al. (1998) Science 279:1052-1054). In mouse models of SLE, significant proteinuria also was observed concomitant with the serological appearance of antibodies to DNA and histones, as well as immune complexes of the IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b subclasses. The median survival is 6 months, and mortality results from renal failure. B cells and autoantibodies are thought to play essential roles in disease development, and agents that interfere with autoantibody production have been shown to attenuate the disease.

Studies of the role of the FcγRs have been facilitated by the availability of defined murine strains deficient in components of this pathway. The mouse strain γ^(−/−), which is deficient in the FcR γ chain, does not express the activation receptors FcγRI and FcγRIII, but still bears the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB. Mice lacking FcγRI or FcγRIII were protected from developing Lupus nephritis. Through a genetic disruption of the FcγR/immune complex interaction, Clynes et al. (supra) showed that the interaction of immune complex and cellular Fc receptors was essential to the development of Lupus nephritis. However, the mice lacking FcR still demonstrated significant renal immune complex deposition.

Histone H1 has been shown to bind to immune complexes (Gussin et al. (2000) Ann. Rheum. Dis. 59:351-358; and Costa et al. (1984) J. Immunol. Methods 74:283-291). Costa et al. also showed that rheumatoid factors competitively inhibited the binding of histone H1 to immune complexes, suggesting that the binding of histone H1 to immune complexes involves the IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft. Other studies showed that perfusion of rat kidneys with histones, DNA, and anti-DNA antibodies resulted in the deposition of DNA/anti-DNA immune complexes in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), suggesting that immune complex binding to the GBM is directly mediated by the binding of histones to the GBM (Termaat et al. (1992) Kidney Int. 42:1363-1371; and Gussin et al. supra). The use of polypeptides that bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft would inhibit the binding of histones to immune-complexed IgG Fc, and therefore would ameliorate the contribution of these Fc-mediated immune complexes to the pathology of SLE and Lupus nephritis.

In a competitive inhibition study using IgG Fc fragments, both deposited IgG immune complexes and injected Fc fragments colocalized in the mesangium of Fc-treated nephritic animals, suggesting that the blockade of FcR could be the underlying mechanism of the beneficial effect of Fc fragments (Gomez-Guerrero et al. (2000) J. Immunol. 164:2092-2101). This study also demonstrated the central importance of immune complex to FcR interactions in mediating Lupus nephritis. In addition, the reduction of multiple inflammatory cytokines demonstrated the importance of preventing the inflammatory cascade rather than attempting to interfere with the cascade by inhibiting one or more inflammatory molecules. Polypeptides that bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft therefore also would inhibit the binding of FcR to immune-complexed IgG Fc, and would reduce the contribution of FcR to the pathology of SLE and Lupus nephritis.

Gómez-Guerrero et al. also demonstrated that the elevated cholesterol observed in untreated nephritis mice (227±27 mg/dl) was reduced by more than half in nephritis mice treated with Fc fragments (103±16 mg/dl). Women between 35 and 44 years of age with systemic lupus erythematosus have a fifty times greater chance of developing advanced atherosclerosis/myocardial infarction than women of similar age without immune complex disease (Manzi et al. (2000) Ann. Rheum. Dis. 59:321-325). Although less dramatic, the same relationship holds true for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The accelerated rate of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction may be due to a chronic inflammatory state created by the formation of chronic immune complexes. The formation of these immune complexes can be prevented by inhibitory polypeptides that bind to the IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft.

Autoimmune Glomerulonephritis—

Autoimmune glomerulonephritis, a disorder related to lupus nephritis, is due to a T cell dependent polyclonal B cell activation that is responsible for production of antibodies against self components (e.g., GBM, immunoglobulins, DNA, myeloperoxydase) and non self components (e.g., sheep red blood cells and trinitrophenol). Increased serum IgE concentration is the hallmark of this disease.

Atherosclerosis—

Atherosclerotic lesions are thought to be largely of an inflammatory nature. Recent studies have focused on the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis, attempting to highlight the differences between stable and unstable coronary plaques. An increasing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that atherosclerosis shares many similarities with other inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Indeed, there are surprising similarities in the inflammatory/immunologic response observed in atherosclerosis, unstable angina, and rheumatoid arthritis, the prototype of autoimmune disease (Pasceri and Yeh (1999) Circulation 100(21):2124-2126).

Activated macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells laden with cholesterol esters are a major constituent of atherosclerotic lesions, and can influence lesion formation via several potential mechanisms. One such mechanism is FcγR activation and/or FcγR-mediated clearance of immune complexes containing cholesterol, such as lipoprotein immune complexes. Recent studies indicated that highly cellular preatheromatous lesions contain numerous macrophages in the zone of proliferation that express each class of FcγR (FcγRIA, FcγRIIA, and FcγRIIIA; (Ratcliffe et al. (2001) Immunol. Lett. 77:169-174). These data provided further support for the idea that FcγR-mediated clearance of immune complexes can occur in arterial lesions during atherogenesis. Expression of both the high affinity (FcγRIA) and lower affinity (FcγRIIA/FcγRIIIA) receptors indicated that mono- and multivalent IgG-containing immune complexes could engage FcγR and influence lesion formation through several different inflammatory mechanisms triggered by receptor activation.

There also appears to be an established link between chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infections and atherosclerosis (Glader et al. (2000) Eur. Heart J. 21(8):639-646). The proatherogenic effects of C. pneumoniae lipoprotein may be enhanced and/or partly mediated through the formation of circulating immune complexes containing C. pneumoniae-specific IgG antibodies. The connection between chronic C. pneumoniae infections and atherosclerosis may be explained at least in part by an interaction with C. pneumoniae lipoprotein through the formation of circulating immune complexes. The C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides of the invention therefore also can be useful for treating elevated cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis/myocardial infarction.

Multiple Sclerosis—

MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the insulating myelin sheath that surrounds neurons. This compromises conduction of nerve signals between the body and brain. Symptoms can be mild or severe, short or long in duration, and may include blurred vision, blindness, dizziness, numbness, muscle weakness, lack of coordination and balance, speech impediments, fatigue, tremors, sexual dysfunction, and bowel and bladder problems. Although many people have partial or complete remissions, symptoms for some progressively worsen with few or no remissions.

Research has suggested that patients with MS have ongoing systemic virus production with resultant immune complex formation. In addition, MS patients often have serum complexes containing brain-reactive components (Coyle and Procyk-Dougherty (1984) Ann. Neurol. 16:660-667). The etiology of MS may be multifactorial and involve abnormal immunological responses, possibly precipitated by infectious agents acquired during childhood by genetically susceptible individuals. The immunological responses include alterations in myelin basic protein concentration, antimyelin antibody and immune complex activities in CSF, and in vitro stimulation, suppression, and migration inhibition of blood lymphocytes. These responses appear to correlate with stage of MS and severity of CNS damage (Iivanainen (1981) J. Neuroimmunol. 1:141-172). Furthermore, levels of circulating immune complexes were found to be significantly increased in the sera of patients with progressive and active relapsing-remittent MS (Procaccia et al. (1988) Acta Neurol. Scand. 77:373-381). Immune complex levels also were found to be increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients at the relapsing-remittent stage.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is important in the immunopathogenesis of MS. MBP has been shown to bind to immune complexes and immune-complexed IgG Fc (Sindic et al. supra). These immune complex binding sites were shown to be multivalent on MBP, and histones completely inhibited the agglutination of immune complexed IgG Fc latex-coated beads by MBP. In addition, certain FcR alleles have been correlated with the disease course of MS (Vedeler et al. (2001) J. Neuroimmunol. 118:187-193). The involvement of FcRs in MS was further suggested by studies showing that FcRy^(−/−) mice were protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of MS induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (Abdul-Majid et al. (2002) Scand. J. Immunol. 55:70-81). Treating an MS patient with polypeptides that bind to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft would inhibit the binding of MBP to immune-complexed IgG Fc and would interfere with immune complex binding to FcRs, therefore ameliorating the pathology of MS.

Parkinson's Disease—

The clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) result from the death of dopaminergic neurons in a section of the brain known as the substantia nigra (SN). An overresponsive immune system may play a role in perpetuating PD by producing cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor) in response to the initial damage, which can further injure cells in the brain. Furthermore, immunoglobulins from PD individuals have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of SN cells (Chen et al. (1998) Arch. Neurol. 55:1075-1080).

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamine neurotransmitters and is expressed only in those neurons (e.g., the neurons of the SN) that normally synthesize and release such neurotransmitters. A structural analysis of TH suggests that immune complexes may bind to the enzyme and contribute to PD pathology. C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft-binding polypeptides therefore may be useful for treating PD by inhibiting Fc-mediated binding of immune complexes to TH.

Crohn's Disease—

Crohn's disease results in chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, usually the small intestine. It affects about 500,000 people in the United States, most often before age 30, causing mild to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and weight loss. While the cause of the disease is unknown, the prevailing theory is that in Crohn's patients, the intestinal immune system over-reacts to viral or bacterial agents and initiates ongoing, uncontrolled inflammation of the intestine. It has been suggested that immune complexes of the IgG class may activated inflammatory neutrophils in Crohn's disease (Nielsen et al. (1986) Clin. Exp. Immunol. 65:465-471).

RF and circulating immune complexes have been detected in the sera of Crohn's patients (Procaccia et al. (1990) Boll Ist Sieroter Milan 69:413-421; and Elmgreen et al. (1985) Acta Med. Scand. 218:73-78). The prevalence of IgG-containing immune complexes and increased IgG RF levels in these patients suggests that the inhibition of Fc-mediated immune complex formation would be useful for treating Crohn's disease.

Psoriasis—

The release of cytokines such as interleukin-2 is thought to be involved in psoriasis. In this disease, cytokines signal skin cells to reproduce and mature at an accelerated rate, setting off other reactions such as the activation of additional T cells and the “recruiting” of T cells into the skin. The initial activation of T cells starts a cycle that eventually leads to the formation of psoriasis lesions on the surface of the skin.

The psoriasis-associated antigen, pso p27, is a major antigen in the immune reactions of psoriasis. The synthesis of this particular antigen is reduced with the remission of inflammation in psoriatic skin lesions. See Dalaker et al. (1999) Acta Derm. Venereol. 79:281-284. Rabbit antisera against pso p27 antigen from psoriatic scale reacted with the Fc region of human IgG. In addition, a commercial antiserum against human IgG recognized a component in the pso p27-containing solution used as the source of antigen for immunization of the rabbits (Asbakk et al. (1991) APMIS 99:551-556). The pso p27 antigen therefore may elicit the production of antibodies with rheumatoid factor activity in psoriatic patients.

Anti-IgG activity at the cellular level in psoriasis patients has been demonstrated using the so-called “rheumatoid” rosette test. The use of purified cell populations showed that the lymphocytes participating in the rheumatoid rosette phenomenon were lacking conventional T and B cell membrane markers. Such mononuclear cells bearing an FcR were able to act as killer cells to IgG-coated target cells. This cytotoxicity could contribute to the etiology of lesions in psoriasis (Clot et al. (1978) Brit. J. Derm. 99:25-30). Inhibiting the binding of such lymphocytes to IgG molecules with a C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptide therefore would be useful for treating psoriasis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis—

Analysis of serum and synovial fluid samples from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and from healthy blood donors for the presence of antibodies cross-reacting with the Fc region of rabbit IgG revealed insignificant amounts of free RF, while IgG RF were observed in alkaline dissociated circulating immune complexes (CIC). Extensive amounts of IgG and moderate amounts of IgM reacting with pso p27 also were detected in alkaline dissociated CIC from the AS patients (Rodahl et al. (1988) Ann. Rheum. Dis. 47:628-633). Antigens related to pso p27 therefore appear to participate in CIC formation in AS, and may be responsible for the elicitation of RF in patients with AS.

Cancer—

Scientific evidence indicates that factors which can bind to immunoglobulins can inhibit cancer metastasis (see, e.g., Mathiot et al. (1992) Immunol. Res. 11:296-304; and Hoover et al. (1990) Curr. Top. Mircobiol. Immunol. 166:77-85). Several key elements of the metastatic process can be inhibited by polypeptides and other compounds provided by the invention. Fc receptors on cancer cells have been implicated in cancer metastasis (see, e.g., Gergely et al. (1994) Adv. Cancer Res. 64:211; Wallace et al. (1994) J. Leuk. Biol. 55:816-823; and Witz and Ran. (1992) Immunol. Res. 11:283-295).

FcR positive tumor cells can bind to the Fc region of tumor-specific antibodies. FcRs thus can protect tumor cells by counteracting antibody-dependent effector functions such as complement-mediated lysis or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (Gergely et al. supra). In this manner, FcR expression endows tumor cells with the ability to escape immune mechanisms. The expression of FcRs on tumor cells also may facilitate growth of the cells. In addition, tumor cells may use FcRs to bind to adhesion molecules and cause localized inflammatory responses that lead to angiogenesis. Tumor cells transfected in vitro with FcγR showed higher rates of metastasis and tumorigenicity in vivo than cells that did not express the receptor (Witz and Ran supra). Use of a C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptide to block interactions between immunoglobulin molecules and FcRs on cancer cells would be useful for preventing or reducing cancer metastasis.

Graft Rejection Following Transplantation—

C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides of the invention also are useful for preventing graft rejection following tissue or organ transplantation. Graft rejection typically results from the cumulative effects of both cell-mediated and humoral immune attacks on the grafted tissue. Solid organ (tissue) transplantation includes, for example, transfer of kidney, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, skin, cornea, and bone. Bone marrow transplantation is employed in the treatment of conditions such as immunodeficiency disease, aplastic anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and genetic disorders of hematopoiesis. Recent studies have suggested that FcR non-binding anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies profoundly affect T cell function by delivering incomplete signals to activated T cells. These incomplete signals may result in functional inactivation of the inflammatory Th1 T cell subset that mediates graft rejection. C_(H)2-C_(H)3 binding polypeptides of the invention also maybe useful for blocking signals to activated T cells, thus inhibiting graft rejection.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, which does not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Modeling the Amino Acid Residues within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 Cleft that are Important for Binding to a Test Polypeptide

The first step in structure-based molecular drug design is determining the three-dimensional structure of the target receptor. Computer programs (e.g., RasMol 2.6, Protein Explorer, or Chime, each available from the University of Massachusetts Molecular Visualization web site on the internet) that display the three-dimensional structure of a test ligand, together with programs (e.g., Auto-dock or Dock) that display the exact three-dimensional structure of the target receptor, can be used to predict the structure of ligands that will bind to the target receptor. Three-dimensional structures can be produced by providing data consisting of the atomic coordinates of the target receptor and the test ligand to a computer that contains the appropriate software. FIGS. 1A and 1B show computer-generated, three-dimensional structures of an Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft from an IgG molecule in both a non-complexed and an antigen-bound state, revealing the open and closed conformations described herein. The atomic coordinates of a C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft from IgG molecules complexed to a peptide ligand and a rheumatoid factor are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively.

A computer-modeled examination of the interaction between an IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft and a polypeptide with the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Ala-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:39) showed that the Tip residue of the polypeptide could form a hydrogen bond to the cleft in between Ile253 of the C_(H)2 region and His435 of the C_(H)3 region (FIG. 3). The amino acids within the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft that were critical for binding to this polypeptide were Leu251, Met252, Ile253, Ser254, His 433, Asn434, His435, and Tyr436.

Example 2 Amino Acid Substitutions within the Polypeptide of Example 1

Examination of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence Arg-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:6) showed that substitution of Arg for Asp in the first position did not affect binding to the IgG Fc region. Replacement of the Trp in the fourth position with Arg also is not expected to have a major impact on immunoglobulin binding. The substitution of one or both of these residues to Arg (e.g., as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5) is expected to make the polypeptide more water soluble, thereby increasing its bioavailability. A three-dimensional structure of this modified peptide bound to the Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 region is shown in FIG. 3.

Example 3 In Vitro Assays for Measuring Ligand Binding to the C_(H)2-C_(H)3 Cleft

In vitro assays involving enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and double immunodiffusion techniques are used to demonstrate competitive inhibition of immune complexed IgG Fc binding to factors such as FcR, RF, FcRn, C1q, histones, CII, and MBP by polypeptides and compounds of the invention. Standardized reagents and ELISA kits are useful to reduce costs and increase the reproducibility of the experiments.

In a standard ELISA, an antigen is immunoadsorbed onto a plastic microwell. After suitable blocking and washing, a primary antibody with specificity directed toward the antigen is added to the microwell. After another wash phase, a secondary antibody that is directed toward the primary antibody and conjugated to an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is added to the microwell. Following another wash cycle, the appropriate enzyme substrate is added. If an antigen to primary antibody to secondary antibody/HRP conjugate is formed, the conjugated enzyme catalyzes a colorimetric chemical reaction with the substrate, which is read with a microplate reader or spectrophotometer. By standardizing the levels of the antigen and secondary antibody/HRP conjugate, a titer of the primary antibody (the variable) is established. In a standard ELISA system, the primary antibody binds to the antigen through its complementarity determining regions (CDR) located in the Fab arms. Likewise, the secondary antibody/HRP conjugate binds to the primary antibody via its CDR Fab region. Because the HRP is conjugated to the Fc region of the secondary antibody, direct Fc binding is very limited or abrogated.

For this reason, a “reverse ELISA” technique is used to assess binding of the Fc region to ligands that bind to immune complexed IgG Fc. In a reverse ELISA, the enzyme (e.g., HRP) is not covalently conjugated to the Fc portion of the secondary antibody. Rather, a preformed immune complex of peroxidase-rabbit (or mouse) anti-peroxidase IgG (“PAP” complex) is used. In this method, HRP serves as the enzyme marker but does not block the Fc region. In the reverse ELISA system, an Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft binding ligand (e.g., purified human C1q) is bound to microwell plates. In the absence of competitor, PAP complexes bind to the immobilized ligand and the reaction between HRP and its substrate produces a signal. This signal is reduced by polypeptides and compounds of the invention that inhibit PAP binding to the immobilized ligand.

Inhibition of C1q Binding:

Twenty μl of peroxidase (P) (Sigma) was diluted in 2 ml of sample diluent (Quidel Corp, San Diego, Calif.). Twenty μl of anti-peroxidase (AP) (Sigma) was diluted in 2 ml of sample diluent, and 20 μl of the diluted AP was added to the diluted P (1:100 antigen:antibody ratio) to form peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) complexes. The extreme antigen excess guaranteed that any single antibody would be bound to two peroxidase molecules and larger immune complexes would not form, thus preventing the bridging of larger immune complexes to multimeric C1q (heximeric). One hundred μl of peptide or C1q was pre-incubated with freshly prepared PAP for 30 minutes, added to C1q coated plates (Quidel Corp.), and incubated for one hour. After washing, ABTS substrate (Quidel Corp.) was added to the plates and incubated for 30 minutes, and the plates were read at 405 nm. All peptides were cyclized by forming a disulfide bond between the two cysteine residues. Results are shown in Table 1.

Soluble C1q resulted in the lower OD 405 value, and thus provided the greatest competitive inhibition of solid phase bound C1q to immune complexes. Most of the other peptides prevented binding of immune complexes to solid phase C1q, with APPCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:45) giving the next lowest OD value. The alanine-substituted peptide (DCAAHLGELAACT; SEQ ID NO:40), with key binding residues substituted to alanine, resulted in an OD reading that was not significantly different from the positive control.

TABLE 1 Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm (+) Control — 0.467 (PAP with no peptide) DCAAHLGELAACT 40 0.458 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.208 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.163 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 0.205 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 0.247 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 0.193 C1q (control inhibitor) — 0.149

Inhibition of FcR Binding:

Once the reverse ELISA protocol was established using the C1q assay, the assay was redesigned using FcγIIa, FcγIIb and FcγIII in place of C1q. Highly purified FcγIIa, FcγIIb and FcγIII were immunoadsorbed onto plastic microwells. After optimizing the FcγR reverse ELISA system, simple competitive inhibition experiments using polypeptides of the invention were conducted to investigate their ability to inhibit binding of immune complexes to purified FcγR.

Falcon microtiter plates were coated with 1:10 dilutions of highly purified FcγIIa, FcγIIb and FcγIII and incubated for 24 hours. The plates were washed and then blocked with 5×BSA blocking solution (Alpha Diagnostic International, San Antonio, Tex.) for 24 hours. Equal amounts (50 μl) of peptide and 1:10 PAP immune complexes were pre-incubated for one hour and then incubated on the FcR coated plates for one hour. After washing, plates were incubated with TMB substrate (Alpha Diagnostic International) for 30 minutes. Stop solution (10 μl) was added and the plates were read at 450 nm. Results are shown in Table 2.

Since large amounts of soluble FcR were not available; a positive control inhibitor was not included for these experiments. Of the peptides tested, DCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:2) caused the greatest inhibition of binding, while APPCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:45) resulted in the second lowest OD reading.

TABLE 2  Peptide SEQ ID NO: FcγIIa FCγIIb FcγIII (+) Control — 3.600 3.600 3.600 (PAP with no peptide) DCAAHLGELAACT 40 2.434 2.263 2.413 DCAWHLGELAACT 42 1.484 1.067 1.345 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.499 0.494 0.477 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.682 0.554 0.542 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 1.149 1.211 1.602 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 3.398 3.284 3.502 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 2.539 1.952 2.529

Inhibition of RF Binding:

The assay to test inhibition of RF binding to the IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 clefts was very similar to the C1q-CIC EIA assay described above, with the exception that polyclonal IgM RF was coated onto the microwells instead of C1q. After optimization, the same competitive inhibition techniques as described for the C1q-CIC EIA were used to demonstrate inhibition of polyclonal RF to immune complex binding. High titer, RF positive sera were purchased from Research Diagnostics (Flanders, N.J.).

A 1:10 dilution of 200 μl of 200 I.U. rheumatoid factor (RF) (+) control (positive standard provided by Research Diagnostics was coated onto Falcon microtiter plates and incubated for 24 hours. The plates were blocked with 1:5 BSA blocking buffer (Alpha Diagnostic International) for one hour. Freshly prepared 1:10 PAP (antigen:antibody) immune complexes were pre-incubated for 30 minutes with peptides or RF (positive control containing only buffer). After washing, plates were incubated with ABTS substrate (Research Diagnostics) for 30 minutes and then read at 405 nm. Results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm (+) Control — 0.753 (PAP with no peptide) DCAWHLGELAACT 42 0.622 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.163 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.103 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 0.106 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 0.152 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 0.109 RF (control inhibitor) — 0.108

Soluble rheumatoid factor (RF) provided inhibition of solid phase RF binding to immune complexes. Peptides APPCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:45), PCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:41), and DCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:4) had OD readings essentially identical to that of soluble RF, and thus provided very effective inhibition of RF binding to immune complexes.

Inhibition of Histone Binding:

The binding of immune complexes to the kidneys in lupus nephritis appears to involve (a) the binding of histones to the GBM, and then (b) the binding of immune complexes (through the IgG Fc C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft) to the bound histones. Experiments similar to those described above were used to inhibit binding of purified histone to IgG Fc binding. Histone (Sigma) was diluted 1:10 in coating buffer (Alpha Diagnostic International) and incubated on Falcon microtiter plates for 24 hours. Plates were blocked with 5×BSA blocking solution (Alpha Diagnostic International) for 24 hours. Freshly prepared 1:10 rabbit PAP (Sigma) was pre-incubated with either peptides or histone for one hour, and 100 μl of the mixture was added to the histone-coated plates for one hour. Plates were incubated with ABTS substrate (Quidel Corp.) for 45 minutes, and OD 405 was read. Results are shown in Table 4.

The DCAWHLGELVWCT peptide (SEQ ID NO:2) was best peptide inhibitor, with the second lowest OD value.

TABLE 4  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm (+) control (buffer only) — 1.268 DCAWHLGELAACT 42 0.729 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.212 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.368 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 0.444 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 0.359 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 0.363 Histone — 0.057

Experiments also were conducted to test the ability of a polypeptide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:47 (also referred to as NB-406) to inhibit the binding of histones to IgG PAP immune complexes. The results are shown in Table 5. This peptide was able to significantly inhibit the binding of histones to IgG PAP.

TABLE 5  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 0.227 Positive Control — 2.110

Inhibition of MBP Binding:

MBP (Sigma) was diluted 1:10 with coating buffer (Alpha Diagnostic International) and incubated for 24 hours on Falcon microtiter plates. Plates were washed and then blocked with 5×BSA blocking buffer (Alpha Diagnostic International) for 24 hours. Rabbit 1:10 PAP immune complexes were pre-incubated with equal amounts of peptide or MBP for 30 minutes. One hundred μl of PAP immune complexes/peptide or PAP/MBP was then added to the MBP-coated plates and incubated for one hour. The plates were washed and incubated with TMB substrate (Alpha Diagnostic International) for 30 minutes. After adding stop solution (Alpha Diagnostic International), the plates were read at 450 nm. Results are shown in Table 6.

With the exception of the peptide substituted with alanine at positions 10 and 11 (SEQ ID NO:42), the peptides tested showed a varying amount of inhibition of solid phase MBP binding to immune complexes.

TABLE 6  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm MBP — 0.139 DCAWHLGELAACT 42 0.706 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.588 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.466 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 0.489 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 0.569 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 0.473 (+) Control (buffer only) — 1.033

Further experiments were conducted to determine the effect of SEQ ID NO:47 (also referred to as NB-406) on binding of MBP to IgG PAP immune complexes. The results are shown in Table 7; SEQ ID NO:47 was able to inhibit the interaction between IgG PAP immune complexes and MPB.

TABLE 7  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 0.500 Positive Control — 2.343

Inhibition of Fc:Fc Interactions:

The Fc region of IgG4 interacts in an Fc to Fc fashion with immune complexed IgG. Purified IgG4 is used with polypeptides of the invention to examine inhibition of immune complex formation and Fc:Fc interactions. Chemical modification of His435, a critical IgG Fc amino acid bound by polypeptides of the invention, is known to inhibit Fc:Fc interactions.

The assay to test the ability of polypeptides of the invention to interfere with Fc:Fc binding is very similar to the C1q-CIC EIA assay described above, with the exception that whole human IgG4 is coated onto the microwells instead of C1q. After optimizing this CIC assay, the same competitive inhibition techniques as described for the C1q-CIC EIA are used to demonstrate inhibition of IgG4 Fc:Fc immune complex binding. Results are shown in Table 8.

Of the peptides tested, DCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:4), DCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:2), and APPCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:45) provided the strongest inhibition of Fc:Fc binding.

TABLE 8  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm IgG4 — 0.108 DCAWHLGELAACT 42 0.557 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.107 APPDCARHLGELVWCT 44 0.107 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 0.129 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 0.191 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 0.096 Positive Control (buffer) — 0.716

Inhibition of Collagen II and FcRn Binding:

Polypeptides of the invention also are tested for their ability to inhibit binding of CII to anti-CII antibodies and binding of FcRn to immune complexes. The assay to test the ability of polypeptides of the invention to interfere with such binding is very similar to the C1q-CIC EIA assay described above, with the exception that the microwells are coated with CII or FcRn instead of C1q. The immunodominate CII peptide is a small linear peptide and is readily synthesized, and purified CII extracts also are commercially available. After optimization, the same competitive inhibition techniques as described for the C1q-CIC EIA are used to demonstrate inhibition of binding.

There are many similarities in the interactions of FcRn and the polypeptides provided herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:47) with the IgG C_(H)2-C_(H)3 cleft. For example, both FcRn and the polypeptides provided herein use hydrophobic packing/burial of hydrophobic residues as the primary binding force. In particular, for example, both polypeptides use Trp residues as primary amino acid contacts—Tip 133 (rat FcRn) or Trp 131 (human FcRn), as well as Trp 14 and Val 13 of SEQ ID NO:47 or other peptides provided herein bind to IgG by burial of hydrophobic residues at or near Ile 253. Further, both FcRn and the polypeptides provided herein bind more avidly in acidic pH due to the pKa of IgG His 435, which is in the pH 6-7 range. FcRn binds with high avidity at pH≦6.5 when His 435 is positively charged, and with low avidity upon deprotonation of His-435 at pH values above 7.0 (Martin et al. (2001) Mol. Cell. 7:867-877; West et al. (2000) Biochem. 39:9698-9708; and DeLano et al. (2000) Science 287:1279). The polypeptides provided herein also show some pH dependence (about four-fold) due to the pKa of His-435. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the three-dimensional similarities of the binding of FcRn and SEQ ID NO:47 to IgG Fc. Since the peptides provided herein can bind with high avidity over a wider pH range, they can be effective inhibitors of FcRn—IgG Fc binding, as well as effective inhibitors of binding of other molecules to IgG Fc.

Example 4 Inhibition of Rheumatoid Factor Binding to Monomeric IgG

The ability of the peptides to inhibit the binding of rheumatoid factor to monomeric IgG was tested. Binding to monomeric IgG may be important, as it may increase the half-life of particular peptides and allow them to be more bioactive.

A standard rheumatoid factor commercial test was used (Research Diagnostics) with the following modifications: 100 μl of test peptides were pre-incubated for 30 minutes with human monomeric IgG (Research Diagnostics). Plates were washed and incubated with 200 I.U. rheumatoid factor positive control supplied with the test kit. The rest of the test was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results are shown in Table 9.

A RF control was not used for this experiment. Of the peptides tested, DCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:2) clearly out-performed the others, giving the lowest OD reading.

TABLE 9  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm (+) Control (buffer only) — 1.376 DCAAHLGELAACT 40 1.421 DCAWHLGELAACT 42 1.397 DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.464 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 1.393 PCARHLGELVWCT 41 1.323 RCARHLGELVWCT 5 1.314 DCARHLGELVWCT 4 1.231

Example 5 Inhibition of RF Binding to Immune Complexes Using Additional Peptides

The ability of additional peptides to inhibit the binding of RF to immune complexes was tested. Immune complexes (PAP) were formed by mixing 2 μl of rabbit anti-peroxidase with 50 μl of peroxidase in 1 ml distilled water. PAP (100 μl) were pre-incubated with 100 μl of peptide for one hour. Plates coated with RF were blocked with 5×BSA for 24 hours. The PAP/peptide mixtures (100 μl) were incubated with the RF coated plates for 30 minutes. RF (100 μl of a 200 I.U. standard supplied by Research Diagnostics) was used as a negative control. After washing and incubation with ABTS substrate (Quidel Corp., San Diego, Calif.) for 15 minutes, plates were read at 405 nm. Results are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.218 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.358 DCAFHLGELVWCT 3 0.267 APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 0.205 APPCAFHLGELVWCT 46 0.226 APPCAWHLGELVWCT 43 0.250 RF (negative control) — 0.104 Positive Control — 1.176

All peptides tested resulted in similar rates of inhibition, with APPDCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:47) providing the best inhibition.

Example 6 Inhibition of C1q Binding to Immune Complexes Using Additional Peptides

PAP complexes were formed as described in Example 5, and 100 μl were pre-incubated with 100 μl of peptide or human C1q (Quidel Corp.) for one hour. The C1q/PAP and peptide/PAP mixtures (100 μl) were incubated with C1q coated plates for 30 minutes. After washing, plates were incubated with ATBS (Quidel Corp.) for 15 minutes and read at 405 nm. Results are shown in Table 11.

As in Example 5, APPDCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:47) resulted in the greatest inhibition of C1q binding, almost equaling C1q itself. Peptide APPCARHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:45) gave the next best result.

TABLE 11  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 1.100 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.567 DCAFHLGELVWCT 3 0.859 APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 0.389 APPCAFHLGELVWCT 46 0.983 APPCAWHLGELVWCT 43 1.148 C1q (negative control) — 0.337 Positive Control — 2.355

Example 7 Inhibition of RF Binding to Monomeric IgG by Additional Peptides

The ability of additional peptides to inhibit RF binding to monomeric IgG was tested. A standard rheumatoid factor commercial test was used (Research Diagnostics, New Jersey) with the following modifications: 100 μl of test peptides were pre-incubated for 1 hour with human monomeric IgG (Research Diagnostics, New Jersey). Plates were then washed and incubated with 200 I.U. of the RF positive control supplied with the test kit. The rest of the test was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results are shown in Table 12.

Peptide DCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:2) resulted in the greatest inhibition of RF binding to monomeric IgG, followed by peptide DCAFHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:3).

TABLE 12  Peptide SEQ ID NO: OD 405 nm DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.539 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 1.095 DCAFHLGELVWCT 3 0.962 APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 1.065 APPCAFHLGELVWCT 46 1.159 APPCAWHLGELVWCT 43 1.166 Positive Control — 1.312

Example 8 Inhibition of FcR Binding to PAP by Additional Peptides

Falcon microtiter plates were coated with 1:10 dilutions of highly purified FcγIIa, FcγIIb and FcγIII, sealed, and incubated for one year at 4° C. The plates were washed and then blocked with 5×BSA blocking solution (Alpha Diagnostic International, San Antonio, Tex.) for 24 hours. PAP immune complexes were formed as described in Example 5. PAP (100 μl) were pre-incubated with 100 μl of peptide for one hour. PAP/peptide mixtures were added to the FcR coated plates and incubated for one hour. After washing, plates were incubated with ABTS substrate for 15 minutes and read at 405 nm. Results are shown in Table 13.

Peptide APPDCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:47) appeared to result in the greatest inhibition of FcR binding to PAP, followed by peptide DCAWHLGELVWCT (SEQ ID NO:2).

TABLE 13  Peptide SEQ ID NO: FcγIIa FcγIIb FcγIII DCAWHLGELVWCT 2 0.561 0.532 0.741 APPCARHLGELVWCT 45 0.956 0.768 0.709 DCAFHLGELVWCT 3 0.660 0.510 0.810 APPDCAWHLGELVWCT 47 0.509 0.496 0.670 APPCAFHLGELVWCT 46 0.605 0.380 0.880 APPCAWHLGELVWCT 43 0.658 0.562 0.530 Positive Control — 1.599 1.394 1.588

Example 9 In Vivo Assay of FD5 Therapeutic Efficacy of in a Murine Model of Collagen-Induced Arthritis

DBA/1J mice were obtained from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, Me.), and were maintained in quarantine with daily inspection for four days. Once the animals were determined to be in overt good health, they were released from quarantine to routine maintenance.

On day −2, 10 mg of collagen (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.) was dissolved in 5 ml 0.01 M acetic acid and stirred at 4-8° C. overnight. On day −1, adjuvant was prepared by suspending 10.6 mg Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Difco) in 5.3 ml squalene (Sigma). The suspension was homogenized throughout the day.

On day 0, 3.7 ml of the adjuvant suspension was emulsified with 3.7 ml of the collagen solution. The mice were ear tagged for identification purposes, weighed, and anesthetized with isoflurane. Ninety “disease” mice were injected intradermally with 0.05 ml of the adjuvant/collagen emulsion. Ten control mice (“non-disease”) received an intradermal injection of 0.01 M acetic acid/squalene. No adverse reactions to the injection procedures were observed, and the animals were returned to routine maintenance.

Fresh preparations of collagen and adjuvant were prepared on days 6 and 13. On days 7 and 14, mice were anesthetized and injected as they had been on day 0. Again, no adverse reactions to the injection procedure were noted after either injection.

Mice were examined daily for symptoms of arthritis, beginning on day 15. The first symptoms (a single swollen digit) were observed in three mice on day 21. By day 31, 50 percent of the disease mice were symptomatic, while none of the non-disease mice were symptomatic. The degree of arthritic symptoms was scored for each individual mouse as follows: 0, normal; 2.5, slight focal chronic erosive osteoarthritis; 5, moderate focal suppurative erosive osteoarthritis; 10, moderate multifocal chronic erosive osteoarthritis. On day 32, disease mice were weighed, scored for arthritic symptoms, and divided into nine treatment groups of ten mice each. Each group had a similar average arthritic index. Blood was drawn from each mouse for standard chemistry/CBC analysis.

Polypeptides “ID 14” and “ID 2” having the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:45 and 2, respectively, were obtained from Sigma Genosys (The Woodlands, Tex.). On day 32, 305.2 mg ID 14 was dissolved in 91.7 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4, yielding a 3.33 mg/ml solution. 248.7 mg ID 2 was dissolved in 74.7 ml PBS to yield a 3.33 mg/ml solution. These were aliquotted and frozen at −20° C. for future use.

REMICADE® was obtained from Centocor (Malvern, Pa.). A 3.33 mg/ml solution was prepared by dissolving 100 mg REMICADE® in 30.03 ml PBS. Aliquots of this solution were stored at −20° C. A solution of prednisolone 21-hemisuccinate (Sigma) was prepared by dissolving 14.1 mg in 15 ml PBS. Aliquots were stored at ambient temperature.

Following the blood draw, the ninety disease mice were divided into nine groups of ten mice each. The groups were injected subcutaneously with vehicle, 1 mg/kg ID 14, mg/kg ID 14, 100 mg/kg ID 14, 1 mg/kg ID 2, 10 mg/kg ID 2, 100 mg/kg ID 2, 3 mg/kg prednisolone, or 10 mg/kg REMICADE®, each at a volume of 30 ml/kg. Mice were weighed and scored for arthritic symptoms daily from day 33 through day 47. In addition, mice received daily injections of vehicle, ID 14, ID 2, prednisolone, or REMICADE® as on day 32. Injection sites were examined daily, and no adverse reactions were observed.

On day 48, the mice were weighed and scored for arthritic symptoms. All animals were anesthetized and exsanguinated for standard chemistry/CBC analysis. Hindlimbs were removed and placed in 10% buffered formalin for histological analysis, to examine the extent of inflammatory lesions involving the synovial membranes, articular cartilage, periarticular tissues, and bone. The analysis of each hindlimb was graded using the following scale: 0, normal; 2.5, slight focal chronic erosive osteoarthritis; 5, moderate focal suppurative erosive osteoarthritis; 10, moderate multifocal chronic erosive osteoarthritis.

TABLE 14 In vivo Arthritis Study Arthritic Percent Histological Percent Index Change Evaluation Change Diseased (control) 3.8 — 45 — ID 14 (1 mg/kg) 2.8 −26% 55 +22% ID 14 (10 mg/kg) 2.7 −29% 40 −11% ID 14 (100 mg/kg) 3.6 −5% 45 0% ID 2 (1 mg/kg) 2.8 −26% 25 −44% ID 2 (10 mg/kg) 2.4 −37% 25 −44% ID 2 (100 mg/kg) 2.5 −34% 10 −78% REMICADE ® (10 mg/kg) 3.8 0% 45 0% Prednisolone (3 mg/kg) 1.4 −63% 25 −44%

Calculation of average arthritic indices for the various groups over the final three days of treatment revealed that administration of 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg ID 14 resulted in a 26-29% reversal of arthritic symptoms (FIG. 4A and Table 14). The 100 mg/kg dose of ID 14 did not have a significant effect on the disease. Daily injection of 1, 10, or 100 mg/kg ID 2 resulted in a dose-dependent reversal of arthritic symptoms (FIG. 4B and Table 14). A maximum inhibition of 37% was observed with the 10 mg/kg dose. By comparison, treatment with prednisolone prevented further development of arthritic symptoms, relative to vehicle-treated disease rats (FIG. 4C and Table 14). A maximum reversal of 63% of arthritic symptoms was observed after eight days of treatment with prednisolone. In contrast, treatment with REMICADE® had no effect on arthritic symptoms (FIG. 4C). Thus, polypeptides ID 2 and ID 14 were able to reverse arthritic symptoms in these animals.

Histological examination of the hindlimbs from the mice revealed that administration of ID 2 at 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg resulted in a 44-78% reversal of arthritic symptoms (Table 14). Daily injection of 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg of ID 14 did not have a significant effect. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in a 44% reversal of arthritic symptoms. In contrast, treatment with REMICADE® had no effect on histological symptoms of arthritis. Thus, polypeptide ID 2 was able to reverse the arthritic symptoms in these animals.

Example 10 In Vivo Assays for Assessing Inhibition of Fc-Mediated Immune Complex Formation in a Mouse Model of RA

The inhibitory effects of polypeptides of the invention also are tested in animal models of CII-induced arthritis. Arthritis prone DBA/1 mice are injected intradermally with 100 μg of bovine CII emulsified in Complete Fruends Adjuvant. These mice typically develop RA-like disease after 60 days. Mice are divided into three groups: (1) a control group that is expected to develop arthritis; (2) a group treated with polypeptides or compounds of the invention at the time of CII immunization; and (3) a group treated with polypeptides or compounds of the invention beginning 45-60 days after CII immunization, in mice that have already started showing signs of arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis before and after treatment are monitored to determine the in vivo effectiveness of polypeptides and compounds of the invention.

Example 11 In Vivo Assays for Assessing Inhibition of Fc-Mediated Immune Complex Formation in a Mouse Model of SLE

MRL/MpJ-Fas (MRL/lpr) mice develop a syndrome that is serologically and pathologically similar to human SLE. These mice have high levels of IgG autoantibodies to nuclear antigens such as single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, and also exhibit progressive glomerulonephritis as a result of in vivo immune complex formation and deposition in the glomerulus of the kidneys. At seven weeks of age, MRL/lpr mice are treated with biweekly intraperitoneal injections of the polypeptides described herein. Levels of proteinuria are measured once weekly for forty weeks, to determine whether animals treated with the polypeptides have lower levels of proteinuria. After forty weeks, renal biopsies are conducted to determine whether the treated animals have less glomerulonephritis and/or IgG immune complex deposition. In addition, mean survival rates are calculated to determine if the mean survival of the treated animals is increased. Similar studies are conducted using (NZB×NZW)F1 mice, another murine model of SLE.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for inhibiting immune complex formation in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising a purified polypeptide, said polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:8), wherein Xaa is Trp, Tyr, or Phe.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said immune complex formation is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of monitoring said subject for clinical or molecular characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide further comprises a terminal stabilizing group.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said terminal stabilizing group is at the amino terminus of said polypeptide and is a tripeptide having the amino acid sequence Xaa-Pro-Pro, wherein Xaa is any amino acid.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein Xaa is Ala.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein said terminal stabilizing group is at the carboxy terminus of said polypeptide and is a tripeptide having the amino acid sequence Pro-Pro-Xaa, wherein Xaa is any amino acid.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein Xaa is Ala.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein said terminal stabilizing group is a small stable protein.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said small stable protein comprises a four-helix bundle topology.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said small stable protein is Rop.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide further comprises an additional amino acid at the amino terminus of said amino acid sequence.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said additional amino acid is any amino acid other than Cys.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said additional amino acid is Asp.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide has a length of about 10 to about 50 amino acids.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:2).
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence Trp-Glu-Ala-Asp-Cys-Ala-Xaa-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr-Lys-Val-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO:32).
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence Ala-Pro-Pro-Asp-Cys-Ala-Trp-His-Leu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Val-Trp-Cys-Thr (SEQ ID NO:47). 